About
Learn more about us
Who are we?
Sportsgrants was founded in 2007 by Scott Zagarino. Today there are 770,000 registered nonprofits in the US. Annually they raise more than $5 billion from individual donors, mostly through events and online solicitations by fundraisers.
Is this working? The Charity Navigator Events Study would indicate it is not. The study showed that event fundraising on average costs $1.31 for every $1.00 raised.
There is a saying that goes…
“Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgement.”
It took Sportsgrants founder Scott Zagarino thirty years of first hand fundraising experience, ten years of development, and a lot of “bad judgement” to bring a new kind of foundation into existence.
The proof-of-concept lies in that Sportgrants has:
- Raised $7.2 million in the five years since it began in a “Ready Shed” dropped in Scott’s driveway.
- Never had a staff of more than four people (for the first two years the staff was just Scott and his wife, Greta).
- Produced a direct-to-service grant total of better than 72% of funds raised vs. the .31 loss on every dollar raised.
What we do
The question we ask is;nbsp;”Did you ever donate to anyone because of the event they were doing, or was it because of who they were doing it for? If the event didn’t matter, then why should your donation be a “sponsorship” when it could go directly to the cause? Why should your donation go to for profit entities, road cones and police overtime? The answer is our “Non Event.”
We identify a group of people committed to their sport who are equally committed to helping a group of people who’s suffering resonates with them. We then provide them with all of the tools they need to communicate and fundraise by doing just what they do, dedicating one workout, training session or game, on one day to raise funds to help solve a defined problem.
In conjunction with Spinning® we created “Spinning Nation” and raised more than $500,000 for Livestrong and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. In six editions, our Fight Gone Bad® event has raised $4.2 million for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Infant Swim Rescue, the CrossFit Foundation, Livestrong, and Camp Patriot.
Testimonials
This is what people are saying about Sportsgrants and the revolutionary methods it has pioneered:
I have known Scott for three years and believe I am well qualified to evaluate his work as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), the world’s largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer research.
Scott has a vision and determination to persist as an advocate in the face of daunting odds. He is driven to produce measurable impact by opening up new pathways for athletes, causes, and allies, unlocking society’s full potential to effect social change.
Dr.Jonathon Simons / CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation
Sportsgrants is a sensational organization! Their support to the surviving children and families of special operations people who died serving their country is heartwarming. It is an honor to be associated with them. Their American spirit is a sterling example of how following through with an idea can make a difference in the lives of many people.
Steven McLeary – USAF Major (Ret) Executive Director / Special Operations Warrior Foundation
Scott is an unparalleled leader and motivator, possessing a rare blend of business savvy and compassion that inspires all those around him.
CJ Olivares, Director of Development, Fox Sports Net
In an industry riddled with fraud and deceit, Sportsgrants is a beacon of light. With little to no overhead, a tiny budget for expensive celebrities, travel, buildings, or high dollar marketing, they put fundraising dollars right were it needs to go – in the hands of the people that need it the most. If I want to be confident that my charitable donations get spent on the right people for the right things, I put my money in the hands of Sportsgrants.
Andy Petranek Founder, CrossFit LA/ Petranek Fitness